Youngstown State's miracle catch sinks Eastern Washington in FCS semifinal

Published Dec. 17, 2016 10:25 p.m. ET

Barry Werner

Youngstown State and coach Bo Pelini took the term back-shoulder pass to a different level on Saturday and as a result the Penguins are headed to the FCS national championship on Jan. 7 against James Madison.

With six seconds to go and trailing Eastern Washington 38-34, on a frost-bitten, frigid evening where the temperature hovered around zero, Hunter Wells threw a pass to Kevin Rader in the back of the end zone.

Rader was covered -- tightly -- but managed to get his hand behind the defender's back, catching the pass with one hand and maintaining possession. The official signaled touchdown and after a review the play stood and Youngstown had a 40-38 lead.

https://twitter.com/NCAA_FCS/status/810322255020314624

One second was put back on the clock.

The Penguins took no chances on the PAT, going into victory formation rather than risk the Eagles block a kick and return it for a game-tying two-pointer.

Youngstown kicked off and a series of laterals went nowhere for Eastern Washington and the Penguins were on their way to Frisco, Texas.